Have you ever wondered why Colleges require you to take certain class while attending college? Well I have and to be honest I just do see the point in taking them if they have absolutely none thing to do with your major. For instance, I’m declared as a Secondary History Education Major, and nowhere does it say you major requires you to have Math 101 or Astronomy 101. The only reason that I even have to take, none the less pay for these classes is because the college I attend and along with several others requires them for Graduation. Which I think is just ridicules. I know that America wants us to be the smartest people in world so that we can say were better than everyone else which we would like to say for everything that we do since we are the power hungry country, but honestly in about 3 years after we are done with our schooling and on into our careers, how many of us are going to say I still know how to figure out the answer to a+b=c, I don’t think very many of us are going to be able to unless we use this in our daily career. Also I can understand requiring physical education class, since America is considered one if not the most obesed countrys, but if they offer a gym, which most colleges do, why force us to take physical education, if people want to work out or play sports they will, plain and simple. Colleges are always saying you pick the classes, you decide your future, will why not back that up a 100% with letting us choose what class, besides the ones need for our major, we take and how we take them?
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They want you to be well rounded. And most freshman change their major at least once when they hit college. By exploring classes you might not have otherwise taken, you can figure out if you want to pursue a degree in that field.
~C
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Taking spelling courses will teach you to properly spell ridiculous, too. I mean, nothing's worse than not being able to spell ridiculous.
Nicholas Aden
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Clearly...
~C
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The "well rounded" explanation is a good one. You may not know that you have a knack for astronomy or whatever until you are forced to take the class. Heck, for my major i have to take sound recording and I'm really enjoying it.
You can't teach students history if you don't have at least a general idea about every other major subject.
Trust me. I'm a history/education major.
How can you want to be a teacher and not think that students need broad ideas about the world around them?
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I agree with the "well-rounded" statement, too. I mean, I don't want to take some of the classes I'm going to have to take, either. I'm dead set on my major and would prefer to take only classes that revolved around it. However, it'll be interesting to take some different classes, I suppose, and maybe I'll get involved in something different.
In all honesty it is hard to see how Astrology has little to do with History. Most civilizations were judged on their accuracy of time and calendars. Most religions in history, to include Christianity, are based on astrology, and every notable ancient structure/building uses astrology in its design.
I used to question the general education requirements as well but the more classes I attend the more parallels I can draw. I agree that the general courses are not relevant in most careers, but a high percentage of degrees are irrelevant to careers as well. The general requirements do create a well rounded student. I don't think most students mind the time it adds to most degree since that has been the model and all we have known, I think that the rising cost of education is the problem when we know that we are paying top dollar for classes we are not particularly interested in.
Also, Americans have not been able to display educational prowess for a while now. We are far behind the educational curve.
For the record, AstroLoGy and AstroNoMy are not the same thing. I have yet to see a university offer the former.
~C
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Astrology would be an easy as hell course, though. "What is the purpose of Venus being in the 7th house on a Tuesday when the moon is full?" "It's the age of Aquarius!"
Nicholas Aden
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I took "Healing Arts" which focused a lot on astrology and alternative medicine and tarot readings and stuff ;-)
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
Science.
*watches Alicia jump from the nearest window*
Any other takers?
Nicholas Aden
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;'(
Thanks, Nick. Now I'm dead.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I’m not saying don’t explore...what I’m saying is that they limit you to certain classes in that subject for instance there’s several English classes I would love to take but are not required as my basic and before I can take those class I have to have my basics done.
Go talk to an adviser. At my university, they sometimes let you switch out classes to fulfill requirements. However, if you're talking about taking like Advanced English Lit, but haven't taken comp 1 and comp 2, or intro to lit, then I don't blame them for not letting you take it.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
In most 4 year colleges/universities I've heard of you have to take the big 3 (comp 1, 2, and math) and then have other gen eds with variation. Of the ones I know of you are allowed to pick from a selection. You can take biology, chemistry or physics for your "science credit" and you must take some kind of art/music/theatre appreciation. That is in general at least.
Although I agree some schools take it too far, in general colleges should require gen-eds. I go to a more career orientated college, but even we have certain required courses, like ethics and the big 3, but they toned down how many you take so you can focus. Most students here have known their major since before high school (dancers, fashion, theatre, etc) and it is still good to give you a broad understanding of the world. Ignorance of the subjects others learn leads to intolerance. They may not be the funnest classes in the world, but it has a good purpose. By your senior year I hope you understand that.
Think about it...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tomorrowtoday
also the classes i have add in my blog are examples not certain class that i dont like or dont agree with my major